Hardest Core impresses in Cape Henlopen Stakes

It was clear from the start of the race that Hardest Core, by Hard Spun, was a force to be reckoned with as the four-year-old captured the Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park.

Under a tight hold throughout the one-and-one-half-mile turf race, Hardest Core settled well in hand in third as the field passed the grandstand for the first time. Along the backstretch he was set loose to challenge for the lead, and turning for home assumed command to open up on the field for an impressive win.

Bred by Mueller Farms, Inc., Hardest Core was second in the Stroll Stakes at Saratoga as a three-year-old. Out of the Housebuster mare Lillybuster, herself a half-sister to Champion Gilded Time, Hardest Core is a half-brother to Stakes-placed mare Calla Lily, the dam of G2-placed Side Road (Street Cry). The family also traces to G3 Muhtathir Burj Nahaar winner Elusive Warning, by Elusive Quality.

A G1-winning son of Danzig, Hard Spun is the sire of 11 Graded or Group winners around the world. In April he sired two G1 winners as Wicked Strong took the G1 Wood Memorial Stakes and his daughter Hard Not To Like scored in the G1 Jenny Wiley at Keeneland. Other top runners for the sire include Eclipse Champion and G1 winner Questing and G1 Mother Goose Stakes winner Zo Impressive.